"I Choose Joy..."

I got myself inked on 07th October 2017; I mean I got myself a tattoo - "I Choose Joy...". I had been going through a tough patch in my professional life. Like in any MnA some employees in the firm gain and some feel that they have lost. I related more to the latter group and went through a disturbing phase. In hindsight I think I was overthinking and over-reacting to everything around me, which made me compare myself to others, made me jealous, unhappy and perturbed. I needed to get a handle on it.

I started dealing with one feeling at a time. I started asking myself some tough questions like why am I jealous, what am I looking for, why I am not being happy for others and many more. First, I started on path of "peace" and soon realized that for me peace sounded more like a compromise. I should be at peace with what is happening to me and around me.

Then I choose "happiness" and again realized that I was looking for happiness in material achievements. If I get promoted, I will be happy and so on. So, while promotion was my goal, I was losing the plot on the journey towards the goal. That’s when "I Choose Joy...".

I moved to experiencing joy in whatever I was doing at office and home. I started finding joy even in saying good morning to the housekeeping and security staff. I was being "here and now" and "present" for myself and others. More I was in the moment and giving my best, things started falling in place and joy became a part of my being. I rediscovered myself with joy.

More next week, have a joyful week ahead!